Sustainable agri-food value chains in the Western Balkans (SusAVal)

The project aims to build a strong research consortium and jointly develop at least one EU proposal on sustainable agricultural value chains in the Western Balkans. The thematic focus is on smallholder production systems and the sustainable use of plant genetic resources (especially neglected species), traditional knowledge systems and the analysis and development of sustainable, resilient and secure agricultural value chains. In the long term, this should contribute to improved access for smallholders to international (EU) markets. In phase 1, relevant EU tenders will be identified and the existing consortium will be supplemented by additional academic, private and public partners. In addition, a fact-finding mission, literature research and a survey of actors in agricultural value chains will help to deepen the evidence base on smallholder farming systems in the Western Balkans. A first writing workshop will serve to develop a framework concept for an EU application and to define the consortium. In phase 2, the established consortium will jointly develop an EU application. A second writing workshop will serve to finalize the application in detail for submission.